How do I fit in gym time when I'm nervous about putting my baby into the gym nursery?

Martha - posted on 07/19/2009
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So, my son is now 5 months old. I'm a stay-at-home mom for now (will be going to school 3 days a week in September.) I just bought a gym membership and even a 20 visit nursery card. I just can't get myself to workout during the day because the gym daycare freaks me out for 2 reasons; (1) it's not really set up for babies and the workers are loud and unattentive (2) i'd rather not go workout if i'm going to be in and out of the nursery to change diapers etc. Am I being ridiculous? Should I at least try it once? How do I get over the initial anxiety of leaving my son with people I don't know?

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Nicole - posted on 07/23/2009

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I don't know if this will help, but maybe it will ease your mind a little bit. We have a membership to the YMCA and the main reason we got it was for the free child care while we worked out. I was a little nervous about leaving my son with strangers at first, but he's fine. He's been going there since he was about 3 months old and he's now almost 8 months old and he likes going there. He likes to watch the big kids play and play with the toys there that are new and different to him. One time he cried when we picked him up, he was having such a good time! I think the socialization is good for him, since he's an only child for now and I'm also a SAHM. I just go right after he's been fed, changed, and had a nap. It's not like he's gonna be there all day, either, just an hour or so. You can always leave your son there for 15 minutes, just to see how he does. The daycare at the Y is all windows so I can peek in on him if I wanted to. And you're in the building. So to me, it's the same thing as if I left him in his room while I went to the living room.

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Carrie - posted on 07/30/2009

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I understand your concern. I would first check the workers for credentials or experience and also try to get to know them as Christy said. Maybe make a visit to the gym just for this reason - not even to work out. Then see how you feel after you talk to them and give a workout a try while leaving your baby in the nursery. I think you'll be able to tell pretty quick if it's the right thing for you and your baby.

We don't have any gyms with nursery services available around here and I don't have family close to babysit, so for me, going to gym was kind of out of the question. I ordered "30 Day Shred" a while back which is about a 20 minute workout each day and I do it every day while my son's taking his nap. It works out really well for me, so maybe you could try something at home if it would make you you feel more comfortable?

You should go with him to the nursery at the gym and get to know the women who work there. They shouldn't have a problem with you wanting to make friends with them. It will be better for you and your child.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way!! I have 3 kids, the youngest is 15 months - but I still don't want to leave the baby with people he doesn't know! Which is why I've never used my YMCA membership. I'm sure the nursery is fine, but I started working out at home during the baby's nap time. We have a Wii gaming system and I have "My Fitness Coach" for Wii - which gives you a great workout. We also have the Wii Fit, but I don't use that as often. Good luck!

I would suggest living him with people you know before you let a stranger watch him. i would also suggest talking to the people who run the gym nursery if people you know it's an option. find out what they do with the kids, how many kids they watch, are snacks provided, how much it will cost you... things like that. get comfortable with it before you decide to use their nursery. i am sure that your son will be fine if you left him there. you're not far away in case something happens, or for whatever reason.

i dont know where you live, here in albuquere new mexico all of our community centers have a gym in them and most of them have a nursery or day care program running with them. the gym at the rec is free and the child care is not that costly either. all of the child care "teachers" are certified through the state and also have CPR training, my favorite thing though is that since they are child care certified i dont have to stop my work out to go change a diaper or give a bottle ect ect. another thing you can do is try to schedule your workouts at the gym where you can leave your little man with someone you trust